The volume of prepared goods for the Tet (Lunar New Year) holiday has increased by 20-30 per cent against the volume last year, according to HCM City Department of Industry and Trade.

Nguyen Huynh Trang, the department’s deputy head, said the total value of goods was nearly VND18 trillion (US$789 million), including more than VND7 trillion ($307 million) for goods in the city’s market stabilisation programme.

This is the third year enterprises have taken part in the city’s market stabilisation programme.

In the months before Tet, the department predicts that consumption of beer and other drinks will be around 41.1 million litres and 47.2 million litres, respectively.

Consumption of cakes, jams and candies is expected to be around 18,000 tonnes, and sales of pots of the traditional yellow ochna trees are expected to reach 600,000-700,000.

The city will ensure that sufficient number of vegetables, fruit and meat will be available at supermarkets.

The department has worked with enterprises and distributors to offer promotions in the months before Tet.

The city has also taken steps to control prices of essential goods to prevent price hikes in the months before and after Tet. —VNS